Here are the basics about each of the medicines below. Only common problems with them are listed.
Prescription Medicines
Levothyroxine (LT4)
- Levothyroxine (T4)
Triiodothyronine (T3)
- Liothyronine
Levothyroxine (T4)
Levothyroxine is a medicine that replaces the missing thyroid hormone thyroxine. It is taken as a pill or liquid. The dose a person is given will depend on how much of the missing hormone needs to be replaced. It make take several weeks for it to ease symptoms. A blood test will need to be done to recheck hormone levels to make sure a person is getting the right dose.
Problems may be:
- Appetite changes or weight loss
- Headache
- Allergic reaction
- Nausea and vomiting
- Nervousness or irritability
- Shaking
- Menstrual changes
- Diarrhea
- Sweating
- Leg cramps and swelling
- Problems sleeping
- Breathing problems
- Fast or irregular heartbeat or chest pain
Liothyronine (T3)
Liothyronine (T3) is a short-acting thyroid hormone. It is not used as often as levothyroxine (T4). It is taken as a pill. It is often given to people whose thyroid has been removed to treat thyroid cancer. It is sometimes used with levothyroxine. The dose a person is given will depend on how much of the missing hormone needs to be replaced. It make take several weeks for it to ease symptoms. A blood test will need to be done to recheck hormone levels to make sure a person is getting the right dose.
Problems may be:
- Appetite changes or weight loss
- Headache
- Allergic reaction
- Nausea and vomiting
- Nervousness or irritability
- Shaking
- Menstrual changes
- Diarrhea
- Sweating
- Leg cramps and swelling
- Problems sleeping
- Breathing problems
- Fast or irregular heartbeat or chest pain
References
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/hypothyroidism. Accessed May 4, 2022.
Hypothyroidism in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/hypothyroidism-in-adults. Accessed May 4, 2022.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review BoardJames P. Cornell, MD
- Update Date: 05/04/2022